TP Mazembe secures crucial win in Zambia to begin CAF Champions League campaign
TP Mazembe started their CAF Champions League journey with a commanding 2-0 victory over Red Arrows in Zambia. The Congolese side, known as the Ravens, managed to secure their win in the second half after a tightly contested first 45 minutes at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Red Arrows, representing Zambia, dominated the opening half but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
Their striker, Ricky Banda, came close to breaking the deadlock on multiple occasions, but Mazembe’s goalkeeper, Aliou Faty, was up to the task, keeping his side level with a string of important saves.
Despite the initial pressure from the home team, Mazembe’s defense held firm, denying Red Arrows a crucial goal.
Both teams went into halftime goalless, but it was the visitors who emerged stronger after the break.
Kabwit and Ngimbi Seal Victory for Mazembe
The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when TP Mazembe’s Oscar Kabwit found the back of the net.
The goal came after a well-executed assist from Fily Traoré, allowing Kabwit to calmly slot the ball past the Red Arrows goalkeeper, giving the Ravens a 1-0 lead.
Just minutes later, Mazembe doubled their advantage with a powerful strike from Mercey Ngimbi.
His shot left the Zambian goalkeeper with no chance, securing the 2-0 win for the visitors and leaving Red Arrows with an uphill task in the return leg.
Advantage Mazembe Ahead of Return Leg
This win puts TP Mazembe in a strong position as they look to progress in the competition.
With a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg, the Congolese giants have taken a significant step toward qualification for the next round.
For Red Arrows, the defeat means they will need a remarkable performance in the return fixture if they are to overturn the deficit and keep their CAF Champions League hopes alive.
The Zambian side will need to rediscover their form in front of goal and find a way to break down Mazembe’s resilient defense when the two teams meet again.
With a solid start in Zambia, TP Mazembe will now look to build on this performance as they continue their pursuit of CAF Champions League glory.